ECOWAS Ministers meet in Abuja amid threat to body’s unity, existence

• The meeting is coming against the backdrop of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic withdrawal from the regional body after months of diplomatic stand off.

The Foreign Affairs Ministers of the regional body of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, are currently meeting in Abuja, Nigeria.

The meeting is coming against the backdrop of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic withdrawal from the regional body after months of diplomatic stand off.

The ministers are also expected to deliberate on the postponement of the country’s presidential elections in Senegal, a development that has sparked protest in the country.

ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Alieu Touray, stated that the meeting will consider the notification of withdrawal of the three countries and wider implementations.

Recall that the three military-led West African countries had, on January 27, announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members

The withdrawal of the countries from ECOWAS could have far reaching effect on the unity and effectiveness of the regional body as threat of disintegration looms, experts say.